Design Doc

Latest Episodes:

Retreat Forward Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

In September we met for a mini Questlandia retreat. We talked about how our intentions for the game have shifted in the current political landscape and introduced an unfolding guidebook that will sit at the center of play.

Making Things in Hard Times Aug 17, 2018

Show notes

How do you keep making things when life throws the unexpected your way? We're learning what that looks like now.

Social Dynamics at the Table Jul 13, 2018

Show notes

A good GM can step up to manage social dynamics at the table. But in Questlandia 2, there is no GM, so the rules we write need to do that work. How can we keep the excitement and ideas flowing without leaving quieter players out of the fun?

You Can Kill a King, but You Can't Make a Marinara Jun 18, 2018

Show notes

What happens if a player achieves their big character goal in the very first scene of the game? We found out.

Romancing the Wall May 18, 2018

Show notes

With no GM, players in Questlandia 2 are responsible for framing their own scene types. As a result they animate objects, make holy voyages, and befriend a sentient wall.

The Worst Ideas We've Had so Far Apr 23, 2018

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Good games are often built on an avalanche of bad ideas. We talk about the worst ideas we've had so far, and how to turn them into something useful.

Deadline Motivated Mar 23, 2018

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We talk about deadlines, and the whooshing noise they make as they go by.

Mosslickers Mar 04, 2018

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The first playtest that takes us all the way through character creation. Meet beasts of burden, puppeteers, and the queens who inhabit Mosslicker Alley.

The Symbol Reader Feb 16, 2018

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We experiment with a customized alethiometer to explore stories and build new worlds.

Collaboration Jan 25, 2018

Show notes

The Make Big Things team talks about making games as a cooperative.